Photo By Senior Airman James Johnson | U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron and Japan...... read more read more
Subscribe
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan – Airmen from the 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron hosted members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force 9th Air Wing to observe an annual certification process that demonstrates the lift of a U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 23, 2025.
Airmen from the 18th EMS lifted an F-15C as part of their certification requirement. The certification process happens every year in order for maintainers to renew their skillsets. JASDF maintainers spectated the aircraft lift and together shared techniques used during their emergency aircraft recovery response.
“The important part is making sure you recover the aircraft as safely and quickly as possible,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Mark Macababbad-Lanning, 18th EMS aircraft recovery journeyman. “Making sure that you’re on the same page helps make sure that everybody is safe and that the aircraft is recovered safely.”
JASDF spectated the training which enhances cross-communication and operational flexibility between both teams. The Language Enabled Airman Program, a U.S. Air Force volunteer program, supports the application of air and space power through strengthening partnerships which helps facilitate bilateral events such as this F-15C lift. Having a synchronized aircraft crash recovery plan is critical to ensure airpower and security. Bilateral training and exercises emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge and expertise during recovery operations. Tech. Sgt. Austin Wisshack-Kurz, 18th EMS crash damage disabled aircraft team chief, emphasized the importance of working together due to many challenges the teams may face during non-ideal scenarios.
“Getting to know more about the way we do things and the way they operate can really help us both out,” said Wisshack-Kurz. “We can learn a lot from each other.”
Strengthening alliances and partnerships shows the 18th Wing’s commitment to working with regional allies to provide forward power in the Indo-Pacific region. Demonstrations like this allow Airmen to work on various aircraft, regardless of nationality, broadening their knowledge of aircraft recovery maintenance and their ability to support the 18th Wing.
| Date Taken: | 04.24.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 07.01.2025 02:53 |
| Story ID: | 501654 |
| Location: | KADENA AIR BASE, JP |
| Web Views: | 38 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, USAF, JASDF strengthen maintenance ties during annual F-15C lift drill, by A1C Karina Lopez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
